Chapter 4: The Guardian’s Fall
The wolf beastmen called it their Guardian Spirit, but despite the grandiose title, they’re not that impressive.
If they were truly godlike, an all-powerful being, they wouldn’t have been split in half and killed by a cleaver thrown by a strong witch.
I’m not saying this to mock the sobbing wolf beastmen before me.
That’s just how the novel’s setting works.
Beings most similar to them, closest to their goals.
In short, their spiritual pillar.
And I killed that being.
Not only did I kill it horribly, but I desecrated its body and cooked its meat.
Killing it was bad enough, but to go further and defile it?
How much must the wolf beastmen hate me?
“Ah… ahh…”
The leader, devastated, stares at the wolf head I handed her.
“No way… our Guardian Spirit… in such a gruesome state… heh… hehehe…”
Is she trying to deny reality?
Unaware of the cold blood dripping on her face, she examines the head, giggling blankly.
Her mind completely shattered.
Watching her quietly, I oddly felt like the villain.
Taking something precious from someone, then watching their broken state crush their spirit…
Doesn’t that make me seem like a real villain?
“Thinking like this, I might actually be an evil witch.”
As I watched her mournful wails with a bitter expression, the leader, finally regaining her senses, glared at me silently before stepping back.
Grrr.
With a furious face, she howled and led the surrounding wolf beastmen back into the forest.
“You killed our Guardian Spirit without a scratch, so attacking now would only lead to our deaths. We’ll remember this grudge and repay it when the time comes.”
“Can’t you just let it go? It’s not exactly my fault.”
Grrk.
I pleaded my case, but the leader had already vanished into the forest.
Sighing deeply, I realized the survival difficulty had just spiked.
“F*ck.”
How is it that nothing goes right, before or after possession?
And I’m pretty sure I was possessed into a novel, not a Souls-like game.
“Will tomorrow be better than today?”
Crackle, crackle.
Staring at the still-blazing firewood, I worried, then shook my head.
“Whatever, tomorrow’s me can deal with tomorrow’s problems.”
I roughly cleaned the spilled wok, brought over the prepared wolf meat, and carefully placed it back on.
Sizzle—
The delicious sound and savory aroma rose again.
Smelling the scent that eased the day’s exhaustion, I started recalling details about the Guardian Spirit.
“Come to think of it, unlike other beastmen, the wolf beastmen had some deep connection with their Guardian Spirit. What was it?”
Staring at the cooking meat, I finally remembered a crucial detail.
“Oh, right. One of the tribe members mated with the Guardian Spirit, didn’t they?”
Recalling that shocking fact, I could only sigh.
“…They say obsession is the scariest thing.”
What do I do now?
*
Far from the witch’s house.
Under the bright moonlight, the Silver Mane Tribe gathered, burying the Guardian Spirit’s head to mourn.
“May the Wolf God guide you to paradise.”
A quiet prayer echoed through the silent forest.
After a moment of silence, the wolf beastmen approached their somber leader to offer comfort.
“You okay, boss? You look really shaken.”
“…Sorry, but I’m not okay at all. The Wolf God called our Guardian Spirit to his side, of all beings.”
She felt utterly lost in this situation.
Only the brave warriors around her knew of the Guardian Spirit’s death.
But even they, upon hearing the news, lost all morale, with no sign of recovery.
If even these warriors were like this, what would happen if the entire tribe learned of the Guardian Spirit’s death?
“Sigh…”
Anger burned in her heart, but stifling worry smothered it.
How many times had she seen tribes collapse after losing their Guardian Spirit?
Especially the memory of a once-strong tribe slowly crumbling from within—she wanted to erase it most.
Yet that horrific memory was now her reality.
“What am I supposed to do?”
She threw the question to the silent warriors.
“I’m afraid to tell the truth, but I want to lie for temporary peace. Yet, the Guardian Spirit’s absence will be obvious by dawn.”
“…”
“Brothers and sisters, please answer. What choice should I make?”
Telling the truth would plunge everyone into despair—too cruel.
But lying, only to be found out later, brought a terrifying ripple effect.
Desperately seeking answers, the leader got none.
All she heard was the pitiful sound of the wind, carrying no hope.
As the chilly night breeze brushed her ears, she stared blankly at the moon and muttered.
“Ugh, I want to abandon everything and run. Even if it means suicide, I want to sharpen my claws with vengeance and charge that evil witch.”
“But I can’t. I know it’d be a pointless death, only helping the witch.”
“Look, my kin. I’m such a coward. How can anyone call me the proud, brave leader of the Silver Mane?”
Lamenting, she slumped down, and one of the wolf beastmen slowly spoke.
“Boss.”
“Speak, Keiru.”
“If you truly care for the tribe, how about asking the Longears for help? I heard the Swiftfoot Tribe, in a similar situation, was saved by them.”
“The Longears…”
She paused, deep in thought.
Memories of the elders’ and her parents’ warnings flashed through her mind.
“No matter what, never trust the Longears. Despite appearances, they’re the real monsters.”
“Demons… yes, if demons existed in the mortal realm, they’d look like that. I don’t know about other Longears, but be extra cautious with the ones here.”
“I’m glad you’re not a male. If you were… no, you don’t need to know. Forget I said anything.”
…What kind of race were the Longears that the elders all spoke so warily of?
And, as Keiru suggested, was it really okay to ask them for help?
After much deliberation, her mind overloaded, she clutched her forehead and dismissed the warriors.
“I want to be alone, so all of you, step back.”
“…That wasn’t a bad idea, was it?”
“Shut up, Keiru. One more word, and I’ll tear your mouth off.”
Grrr!
Snarling fiercely, the wolf beastmen nodded and left.
Now, only a humble grave remained beside her.
Sitting slowly by it, she began to whisper.
“Guardian Spirit… no, since it’s just us, should I call you ‘dear’?”
Her voice was so soft it could be drowned by the wind.
Confirming no one was around, she sighed deeply.
“How could you leave so easily? Do you know how big a hole you’ve left?”
Scolding, she gently tapped the grave, her tear-filled face asking.
“…I should take revenge, right? She didn’t just kill you horribly—she insulted you.”
“No matter how I suppress it, my rage keeps boiling. More than anything, I’m furious that the one who made my nights happy is gone.”
“I know I have to lead the tribe… but honestly, I just want to focus on avenging you.”
Muttering to no one for a while, she finally made her decision and let out a long howl.
Owoooo—!
On a night lit only by the crescent moon.
As the scattered wolf beastmen regathered, the leader spoke with a voice full of murderous intent.
“I’ve decided. We’ll ask the Longears for help.”
With that opportunity, she’d take the witch’s head and soothe the Guardian Spirit’s wronged soul.